Storage and display device.



m. 679,474. Patented July 30, MIL E. J. EARLY.

STORAGE AND DISPLAY DEVICE.

(No Model.)

w Wi Inventor 1 ar6 J Ea 41 UNiTn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EARL J. EARLY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

STORAGE AND DISPLAY DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 679,474, dated July 30,1901.

Application filed October 11, 190 Serial No. 32,694. (No model.)

To [tZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EARL J. EARLY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inStorage and Display Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in display-receptacles forStationers and other dealers in which the smaller class of books or likeobjects may be placed on view and guarded from loss, while being easilyaccessible and so placed in compartments readily adjustable to thedifferent sizes of stock carried that each and every size and style maybe so exposed to view that all may readily be seen and arranged to beremoved from any one compartment without the disturbance of the stock inany adjoining compartment. My arrangement also provides for theoccupation of a minimum amount of space and is easily adapted to beplaced on counters, shelves, or in show-cases or cabinets and libraries.I attain the objects of my invention by the mechanism illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of one ofa series of receptacles as arranged for a shelf or counter. Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the shifting and removable partitions for formingthe compartments. Fig. 3 is an end view of the shelves, their supports,&c., as when swung into the case, the case end being removed. Fig. 4. isan end view similar to Fig. 3, but with the shelves in two positions,one position shown in dotted lines t9 illustrate the clearance betweenthe partitions and shelves when the supports are in vertical positionand one in full lines as when swung out to remove or insert stock.

Similar figures of reference indicate similar parts throughout theviews.

lVhen applied as illustrated, the containing case comprises a back 1,ends 2 3, top 4, and a counter or shelf 5. In the present construction 1have shown four shelves 6 7 8 9, each shelf having at each end twopivotal supports, as 10 11, 12 13, 14 15, and 16 17, journaled at eachend of the shelves in parallel uprights 18 19, the uprights 18 havingtheir pivots 17 also journaled in the ends 2 3 of the case, so that allthe movable parts are pivotally supported on the case ends by the pivots17.

The shifting and removable partitions 20, as shown in perspective inFig. 2, are formed of wire (although this is not absolutely essential,but is deemed preferable) and in the following manner: Underneath theouter edge of a shelf is a part 21, parallel with the shelf edge, andfrom which pass outward the members 22 23, which thereafter upwardlybending form parts 24. 25, passing by and above the shelf edge, thenbend inwardly, as 26 27, and form part 28, parallel with the edge of theshelf and part 21. Centrally on part 28 is attached part 29, whichpasses down and curves to part 30, which rests upon the top of theshelf. Another curve upward is formed and part 31 extends upward, andcurving backward forms part 32, level with part 28. Part 32 curvesdownward and forms upright part 33, which curves backward and forms 34:,level with part 30,wl1ich then curves upward and forms part 35, whichruns up and curving backward forms part 36, level with parts 28 32, andcurving downward forms part 37, which passes down ward by the back edgeof the shelf and joins loop 38, which reaches under and grips the lowerside of a shelf. Thus it will be seen that by the formation describedthe shelf is gripped on its top and bottom and at each edge, and as thepartition can be sprung to a close grip it will be securely held whereplaced, and any number can be used to form the various compartmentsdesired or necessary for each shelf, as they can be readily applied andare easily shifted along the shelves to subdivide them into any requiredor desired spaces, while being in skeleton form no light is obstructedand views of the goods from different points of observation areobtainable, and parts 24 25 prevent removal of goods from the front.

The partitions 20, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3, reach from the top of oneshelf to the bottom of the next shelf above and form distance-pieces,governing and limiting the approach of one shelf to another; but at thesame time the partitions are not as high as the distance apart of theshelves. When the parallel up rights 18 19 are in perpendicularposition, as seen in dotted lines in Fig. 4, this clearance permits theshelves to be freely swung in and out; but when they are swung out to adistance corresponding to the distance they are swung in in Fig. 3 thepartitions again touch and limit the approach of the shelves to eachother. They can then continue to be swung down, as in Fig. 4, or anydesired distance, the limit being controlled by a cord 39 or equivalentmeans secured at one end to the case and at the other end to pivot 13. Astop 40, against which upright 19 rests, supports the shelves when swunginto their case. Attached to stop 40 is one end of a flexible member 41,and at its other end it is attached to pivot 15. As seen in Fig. 3,member 41 is bent and at rest and is below and clear of pivot 16, whichis made to project outward beyond upright 19. When handles 42 aregrasped and the shelves are swung outwardly, the member 41 isstraightened by the pull given it by pivot 15, when it straightens andpasses under pivot 16 and supports upright 19 and all of its attachedparts and allowingv them to assume the position shown in dotted lines inFig. 4, and member 41 continues to act until the partitions 20 touchboth shelves, as seen in full .lines, Fig. 4. When the shelves areswungin,member 41 receives pivot 16 and cushions the movement to avoidany sudden shock.

As will be seen in Figs. 3 and 4, spaces A B. may be utilized forstorage or display,whereaswhen shelves are arranged to be drawn out, asheretofore, such space cannot be utilized. Besides the percentage ofloss from theft, where small books and similar articles are placed oncounters in promiscuous heaps, there is also a loss from much needlesshandling, which my invention overcomes. Also much time is saved, as thegoods are assorted when placed in the compartments, stockkeeping isfacilitated, and a general neat, or-' derly, and systematic appearanceis main tained. Within the case ends 2 3 sufficient clearance will beafiorded to prevent any friction or rubbing by the moving parts.

The inclosing cases may be made in many forms, adapted to differentuses, spaces, or locations, and as ornate as desired.

Attached to pivots 10 11 are handles 42 for swinging the shelves out andin, and, if desired, a front cover may be attached to exclude dust,while where heavy articles are stored in the compartments additionalmeans may be employed to counterbalance the weight, although it isbelieved the use of members 41 will be found to be adequate for suchpurpose.

I pivotally supported upon the double uprights for inward and outwardswinging, and partitions on the shelves which limit the approach of theshelves toward each other at the time of said swinging movements.

2. In a device of the nature described, a case, a plurality of shelves,pivotally supported at each end upon parallel upright supports, one ofsaid supports at each end being piv otally supported upon the case,lifting means connected to the outer supports and to the case, aprojection upon the inner supports whereon the lifting meansoperates,and means to limit the approach of the shelves toward eachother.

3.- In a display device, a case, a pair of uprights within each end, oneof each pair being pivotally supported on the case, a plurality ofshelves pivotally supported thereon at their ends for the movement ofthe shelves parallel to each other, and for swinging in unison out ofand into the case, means to limit said swinging, and means to limit thespace between the shelves when swung.

4. In a display and storage receptacle, a case, uprights pivotallysupported by the case, multiple shelves pivotally supported thereon attheir ends and adapted for swinging, and adjustable partitions on theshelves, adapted to limit the approach of adjoining shelves, and formcompartments thereon.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a shifting shelf-partition,comprising a looped part passing under an edge of the shelf, thereafterin double lines upward in front of and above the shelf, backwardlyturned and united to a single line of vertical parallel courses unitedat their upper and lower parts by alternate bends, in which the lowerbends touch the shelf-top, and the last course passing the opposite edgeof the shelf and terminating in a loop underneath the shelf.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a shelfcompartment divider, havingmultiple Vertical members reaching across the shelf in single alinement,the members being alternately joined at their top and bottom ends, thelower joining parts resting upon the top of the shelf and the backcourse extending by and below the shelf and having means to pass underand grip the shelf; the front course attached at its upper end to amember which is there parallel to the shelf edge, thereafter is outwardturned in lines practically parallel to members reaching across theshelf, then downward turned by the shelf edge, passing thereunder andforming a means to grip the shelf.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EARL J. EARLY.

Witnesses:

RANsoM C. WRIGHT, WILLIAM C. STOEVER.

